What Color Is Urine When Your Kidneys Are Failing?

Failing Kidneys and Urine Color: An Overview

Your kidneys are two small, bean-shaped organs located at the bottom of your ribcage. They’re responsible for filtering your blood, removing toxins and waste from your body, and producing urine. When your kidneys begin to fail, their ability to filter your blood efficiently decreases, resulting in a buildup of toxins in your body. This can cause a range of symptoms and complications, including changes to your urine color.

What Causes Urine Color Changes in Kidney Failure?

As your kidneys become less efficient, they’re unable to filter out certain substances in your urine. This can cause the color of your urine to vary, depending on what substances are present. For instance, a buildup of bilirubin and urobilinogen in your urine can cause it to appear yellow, orange, or brown. Additionally, the presence of blood may cause your urine to appear pink, red, or brown.

What Other Urine Changes Can Occur in Kidney Failure?

In addition to changes in color, kidney failure can cause other changes to your urine. For instance, you may notice that your urine has a foamy or bubbly appearance, that it’s cloudy, or that it has a foul odor. You may also find that your urine is more concentrated or that you urinate less often.

When Should You See a Doctor for Urine Changes?

If you notice changes in the color or smell of your urine, it’s important to talk to your doctor. This is especially true if you’re experiencing other symptoms of kidney failure, such as fatigue, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment.

In Conclusion

When your kidneys are failing, it can cause changes to the color and smell of your urine. These changes may be yellow, orange, brown, cloudy, foamy, or foul-smelling. If you notice any changes in your urine, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can help diagnose the cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment.